TEENAGER JAZZ SAHRES LEAD IN MANILA MASTERS

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ASIAN TOUR

Manila, November 15: Overnight leader Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand remained in prime position of becoming the second youngest professional winner on the Asian Tour after he posted a three-under-par 69 to grab a share of the second round lead with Philippines’ Angelo Que and Canada’s Richard T. Lee at the US$750,000 Resorts World Manila Masters on Friday.

The 17-year-old could follow the footsteps of South Korea’s Noh Seung-yul by winning his first title on the region’s premier Tour at a tender age if he continues to show the composure and talent that the crowd has come to take notice of over the last two days at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.

Thailand’s Prom Meesawat signed for a flawless 67 to be bunched with Spanish rookie Carlos Pigem, England’s Chris Rodgers and Malaysia’s highest-ranked player Nicholas Fung in equal fourth place.

After shaking off the effects of flu, Jazz is now looking forward to playing his best golf during the weekend rounds.

Like any other teenager, the overnight leader just wants to adopt a carefree attitude and enjoy himself over the next 36 holes.

“I try not to think too much about winning yet as I believe the key to doing well is to have fun. I’m beginning to feel very comfortable around this golf course and I’m enjoying myself,” said Jazz, who turned professional one day before his 15^th birthday at the King’s Cup in Thailand in 2010.

“I was struggling to finish my round yesterday and it was a pleasant surprise when I took the lead. I missed a couple of putts today but it was alright, I’m well now and hopefully this good run will continue,” added the Hua Hin native, who compiled a two-day total of 11-under-par 133.  

Que kept the local hopes alive when he fired a 66 to remain firmly in contention for his first Asian Tour win on home soil in five years.

The three-time Asian Tour winner’s last home victory on the region’s premier Tour was in 2008 when he won his country’s National Open. And a victory at the Resorts World Manila Masters will cap a brilliant year for the 34-year-old who has enjoyed four top-five finishes so far.

The weekend cut was set a two-under with 65 players making the cut.

  SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD

  Par 144 (2x72) Yardage 7,337

133 Angelo QUE (PHI) 67-66, Richard T. LEE (CAN) 65-68, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 64-69.

134 Nicholas FUNG (MAS) 70-64, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 67-67, Carlos PIGEM (ESP) 68-66, Chris RODGERS (ENG) 68-66.

135 Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) 68-67, David LIPSKY (USA) 66-69.

136 LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 67-69, Mithun PERERA (SRI) 69-67, Stephen LEWTON (ENG) 70-66, HUNG Chien-yao (TPE) 68-68, Charles HONG (PHI) 66-70, Kalle SAMOOJA (FIN) 67-69.

137 Himmat RAI (IND) 68-69, LEE Sung (KOR) 67-70, Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA) 67-70, Jaakko MAKITALO (FIN) 69-68, Carlos SAINZ Jr. (USA) 66-71, Sam BRAZEL (AUS) 71-66, S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND) 71-66, Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 69-68, LAM Chih Bing (SIN) 67-70.

138 Digvijay SINGH (IND) 70-68, David LUTTERUS (AUS) 68-70, Anthony KANG (USA) 67-71, Sutijet KOORATANAPISAN (THA) 67-71, TSAI Chi-huang (TPE) 68-70, Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 68-70.